Re: Adventure #6 - The Lion of Vilderoy

Glitz Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:46 pm

Remembering the "loot" that she has stashed in her bag, Elodie nods at Talmut's suggestion, and attempts to respond in the same manner in which the question was posed. "I think that's a wise idea, Talmut. I'll join you."

OOC: Sorry that I've been slacking this weekend, I was pouring wine at a wine festival this weekend and cell service was sparse. Back to the real world now, though!

Malazek Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:56 pm

Jeremiah wrote:Looking to the goblin... "Perhaps you should room up with Gumphrey or Talmut."

Looking to the group... "See you guys in the morning."

Talmut wrote:"I am going to head back to the Arx to report and clean out the bag. Anyone want to join me?"

Gumphrey says, "I'll stay here. Someone needs to look after Miphelgara and Gervas."

Elodie wrote:"I think that's a wise idea, Talmut. I'll join you."

Talmut wrote:Once the travel arrangements are figured out, Talmut heads to his room and teleports to his room at ~~Meg's~~ the Jolly Toad in Umbrafall.

POOF. Talmut and Elodie are in Talmut's room at the Jolly Toad.

- Teleport Roll = 07 (On Target)

Swifthand Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:37 pm

"Let's check in and then immolate our "loot"."

Talmut will head straight to the Vicerene's to report, and then (hopefully with Elodie's aid) make a funeral pyre in the woods near town and burn up Odbart's remains. Then he will head back to his room at the Toad and then teleport back to his room at the Cockrel.

Malazek Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:47 pm

Talmut wrote:Talmut will head straight to the Vicereine's to report ...

Talmut and Elodie are led right in to the Vicereine's private audience chambers. She hears what happens and then thanks you for handling it so quickly and discreetly. "Yet, one mystery remains," she adds. "Earlier today, I had lunch with a pair of courtiers from Arkon, who took a detour on their way home from Sturmgard. One of them was a gifted sorceress, who claimed to have witnessed a seminar by Lord Odbart, just yesterday. She described the lecture as 'pure gibberish.' Clearly, some sort of duplicity has occurred. Yet, if Odbart were still alive, then surely he would have brought the matter to the attention of the Duke. Since he hasn't, we can only assume that you have killed the real Odbart. So, who is this impostor and how did he know Odbart was dead?"

"At any rate, what do you think should be done with the Orb, now? If the soul inside is indeed that of a good dragon, as you say, then obviously we mustn't abuse that power. Do you intend to keep the orb with you, when you visit Vilderoy? Or do you intend to hide it someplace? You can store it in my vaults, if you like -- I assure you, they are well guarded -- but if you prefer to take it and study it, then I understand that, as well. I defer to your collective wisdom in this matter."

Glitz Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:56 pm

Elodie shrugs. "If Talmut wants to take the orb with us, I will do my best to keep it safe during our travels. It is very curious that someone has already taken up the appearance of Odbart...maybe it is his brother, if he even has a brother? I'm not sure if there ever were actually two of them. Why us, though? Why would Odbart want to trick us into trying to take the orb from him?"

Swifthand Tue Sep 16, 2014 5:54 pm

Talmut smiles now that the missing pieces of the puzzle have been provided by the Vicerene's information. "Odbart was not trying trick us into taking the orb, he was trying to trick the "thieves" to reveal themselves - by sending his goblin slave out illusioned in his guise!" The Conjuror turns to Elodie. "You verified that he had alteration and illusions magic on him when he was headed to his class - polymorph and illusion. Quite fortuitous for us, indeed - this will only further complicate the matter of the missing orb for those that seek it, as the goblin knows nothing!"

Talmut stops, smiling, obviously quite pleased with himself and his deduction.

"But, to answer your question, My Lady, we shall act as guardians of the orb. Artifacts are rare, wonderous, and treacherous things. I still believe that us finding it when dragons are massing to the north is more than just fortune. Until it's tale plays out we will keep it safe."

Once business with the Vicerene is done, immolate and teleport!

Glitz Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:16 pm

"But...we didn't go to Sturmgard seeking to rob Odbart, so I still don't know why we were targeted. But I think you are right about the goblin, Talmut. Either way, I think we cleaned up the situation as best as we could. Speaking of 'cleaning up', my Lady, are there crematoriums in the palace?"

Malazek Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:23 pm

Talmut wrote:Once business with the Vicerene is done, immolate and teleport!

Elodie wrote:"Speaking of 'cleaning up', my Lady, are there crematoriums in the palace?"

"Indeed, there is. I'll show you the way."

A short while later, you find yourself in the palace's noble crematorium. A blind cleric is on staff and he helps you load the body and reduce it to ash. When you removed the body from the bag, however, you notice a foul stench (it has been in there for several days, after all).

Malazek Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:28 pm

Talmut wrote:we shall act as guardians of the orb. Artifacts are rare, wonderous, and treacherous things. I still believe that us finding it when dragons are massing to the north is more than just fortune. Until it's tale plays out we will keep it safe."

"I think that is best. And the City of Umbrafall thanks you for it."

Malazek Tue Sep 16, 2014 9:29 pm

OOC: Do you want to address the odor before or after teleporting?

Swifthand Tue Sep 16, 2014 11:56 pm

"Let's scrub out the bag, take a bath at the Jolly Toad, and then Teleport back."

Glitz Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:23 pm

"Do you have a spell that will work, or do we need to use soap and water?"

Swifthand Wed Sep 17, 2014 1:34 pm

"Oh, I could have my Unseen Servant do it. That is a better idea. In that case, let's head back and get some rest - I will have my servant work on it while we sleep."

Like in the plan - I have removed a tp and unseen servant from the list.

Malazek Wed Sep 17, 2014 3:21 pm

Talmut wrote:"Let's scrub out the bag, take a bath at the Jolly Toad, and then Teleport back."

Elodie wrote:"Do you have a spell that will work, or do we need to use soap and water?"

Talmut wrote:"Oh, I could have my Unseen Servant do it. That is a better idea. In that case, let's head back and get some rest - I will have my servant work on it while we sleep."
Like in the plan - I have removed a tp and unseen servant from the list.

So, without further ado, Talmut and Elodie head back to Porthage to get some sleep. Before heading to bed, Talmut summons an invisible being of pure force to clean the bag. It's been a long day, so everyone sleeps soundly through the night. Morning comes early. When you awake, the bag is clean ... almost TOO clean.

Swifthand Wed Sep 17, 2014 5:09 pm

Talmut will head to Jeremiah and Gum to fill them in on the meeting with the Vicerene (in their rooms, away from eyes and ears) and then head down to the common room for breakfast.

Malazek Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:06 pm

Gumphrey, Gervas, and Miphelgara join Talmut for breakfast. The menu is the same as it was last night, except that they've added another sign that says "Add eggs and coffee to any meal, for just one silver!"

Alpha Omega Thu Sep 18, 2014 7:12 am

Jeremiah will just ask for the eggs and coffee while he contemplates what shenanigans the Duke must be up to. As soon as breakfast is done he will head back to the stables and prepare to finish the trip to Vilderoy.

Glitz Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:10 pm

While Talmut is meeting with the rest of the group, Elodie will wander downstairs and ask for a salmon omelette. She will then head outside to find a quiet spot to meditate. Once she is done, she will meet up with the rest of the group. "I'm ready to leave if you all are," she says.

Malazek Thu Sep 18, 2014 8:14 pm

OOC: Sorry for the delay. I've been sleeping all day, trying to recover from this illness.

After breakfast, the entire party heads to the stables, ready to head out. When they get there, you find that Egan and Nakkamtu managed to feed and water the other horses. Apparently, these stables are self-service. So, your horses had to "borrow" buckets and feed from the other owner's horses. Egan recommends tossing a few coins on the ground, to reimburse the innkeeper for his loss.

Eventually, though, you mount up and ride out. You find a light layer of snow covering ... well, everything.

The ride is cold and slow-going, but there are noticeably less travelers on the road. (Few people travel once it starts snowing). It's difficult to see the road, but Jeremiah and Elodie have no trouble maintaining course. You pass through several villages along the way and ride by countless farmsteads; each is snowed in. It's a long lonely ride, until you finally stop at an inn in a small village near the south-eastern edge of the Elderwood. There you have an uninspired meal at a rather unremarkable inn. But, at least the inn here takes good care of the horses!

The next day, some of the snow has melted. Little remnants of snow hang on for dear life, as the sun tries to beat them out of existence. Although the road is easier to see, the ride is just as lonely. At times, it seems like you are the only people traveling this road ... or even the only people, period. Eventually, though you come to Vilderoy.

The outskirts of the city are in disrepair. There are holes in the roofs of many structures and many others have door and windows that are boarded-up. The few people you see moving around town are dressed in rags; some are even sleeping in the streets, with little more than an old blanket to save them from cold. Oddly, none of them ask for alms.

The center portion of the town is surrounded by a large defensive wall. A well-dressed city guard stands watch at the gate. When you tell him who you are, he checks his list (written on a gold-leaf scroll) and allows you passage. Inside, you find the manors in this district to be large and opulent. Marble is everywhere. Even the streets are cobbled to resemble colorful murals.

You follow the decorative road right to the royal palace ... which has to be the largest single structure in the Realms. Standing seven stories high and stretching over a quarter-mile to either side, it is surrounded by an army of marble pillars and uncountable marble staircases. The front doors are so large, you could probably ride-in shoulder-to-shoulder. The windows are all stained glass. Hundreds of flags wave in the frosty air, from atop the palace.

A lone guard, dressed much like the other, rushes out to greet you.

Swifthand Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:08 am

The next morning, prior to leaving the Inn, Talmut asks Jeremiah for the pouch containing the orb. "I will cast magics to hide it.", he explains.

Assuming he does so, cast Nondetection.

Upon arriving in Vilderoy...

The Conjuror's outrage is clear (evidenced by his frequent beard pulling and frowns) by the time the Band of Four has reached the lone guard. The monstrous edifice before the party prompts a particularly strong beard pull, followed by a grimace.

Yes, the opulence of the Jeweled Realms is something to be proud of - even boast of! But this! Nothing this....grotesque...exists in Ma'ag. What is this ruler doing?

"Your capital. Very impressive...."

Talmut looks at the others, trying to read their thoughts.

Glitz Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:15 am

Elodie praises Egan and promises a luxurious treat when they arrive at the palace. "What would you like?" she asks as they travel.

Upon arrival, Elodie starts to feel guilty for the multiple extravagant outfits that she has packed away, when it appears that most of the citizens of this area have little more than rags. She is nervous that the Vicereine has sent the party to brag about the economic state of Umbrafall, but those fears go away when they enter the palace grounds.

When the guard comes out to meet the party, Elodie hops off of her horse and curtsies. "Hello. I am Elodie, Druid of Kelbany, Warden of the Timberwyld, Friend of Wolves. Your palace is quite...extravagant. My apologies, but we have picked up a few guests along the way. We trust that they will be accomodated, as well?"

While Jeremiah and Gumphrey are introducing themselves, Elodie hisses to Talmut, "You're going to get bald patches on your chin!"

Malazek Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:11 pm

Elodie wrote:Elodie praises Egan and promises a luxurious treat when they arrive at the palace. "What would you like?" she asks as they travel.

Egan looks to Elodie. "How about a few apples?"

Talmut wrote:"Your capital. Very impressive...."

Elodie wrote:When the guard comes out to meet the party, Elodie hops off of her horse and curtsies. "Hello. I am Elodie, Druid of Kelbany, Warden of the Timberwyld, Friend of Wolves. Your palace is quite...extravagant. My apologies, but we have picked up a few guests along the way. We trust that they will be accomodated, as well?"

The guard bows. "Thank you, m'Lord. m'Lady, I am honored to be in your presence, but I am sorry. I am not authorized to allow access to uninvited guests. If it suits you, they may stay at the inn. The Arch-Duchess has already promised to cover any and all expenses incurred by such servants and other unexpected tagalongs."

Glitz Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:17 pm

Elodie shrugs. "That is fair enough, as long as the inn is nearby and adequate for our guests. Will they be able to join us for meals and events occasionally?"

She turns to Gervas and Miphelgara. "Is that satisfactory for the two of you? Would you like an escort?"

Malazek Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:25 pm

Elodie wrote:Elodie shrugs. "That is fair enough, as long as the inn is nearby and adequate for our guests. Will they be able to join us for meals and events occasionally?"

"The Golden Griffon is just down the street and happens to be the finest inn in all of the Realms," the guard replies. "I am not sure if they will be able to join you, but you can certainly join them whenever you wish."

Elodie wrote:She turns to Gervas and Miphelgara. "Is that satisfactory for the two of you? Would you like an escort?"

Miphelgara smiles, "Indeed. I look forward to it."

Gervas, on the other hand, frowns. "This better not be some way of giving me the slip. Don't forget, you need to change me back."

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Miphelgara says, raising his hands to shade his eyes from the sun. "I think I can see the inn from here."

Astonished, the guard turns and squints, trying to see the inn from here. After a moment, he shakes his head and turns back to rest of the party. "Your steeds can stay in the Royal Stables. I'll see that they get there."

Glitz Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:32 pm

Elodie smirks at Gervas. "Yes, we're giving you the slip by hiding out in our secret lair, otherwise known as the Royal Palace of Vilderoy. Discrete, no? We'll find you all as soon as we can."

She passes Egan's reins to the guard. "May we see our rooms, so that we might freshen up before greeting the Arch-Duchess?"

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